Rakes and Foresters - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Rakes and Foresters

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Apr 08, 2004 2:29:20 Does anyone here understand what the Rake class is all about? Why would anyone want to play a thief with less abilities and nothing to compensate for it? I have a very vague memory from "Arena of Thyatis" that the Rake is a kind of a diplomatic Rogue - but I guess I'm wrong, since DotE states that Rakes are Lawful. What is their function exactly?

As for the Foresters - well, here I also think that it is not enough to simply make them "Human Elves". They need their own uniqueness. But this is easier to solve: with wilderness skills and nature-oriented magic spells, they can become an interesting sort of Ranger.
#2
zombiegleemax
Apr 08, 2004 6:23:03 I always made the Forester characters more like Rangers. Most of my players would rather just be an elf than a forester. So I gave them a limited group of spells, mixed Druid and Mage spells. Then a couple of thief skills that would be handy in nature. They enjoyed the character a ton after that. When I switched to the RoleMaster spell list system, there are tons of Ranger spells so I just used them from there on.
#3
katana_one
Apr 08, 2004 12:22:16 In my 3E game, Rakes and Thieves are both simply replaced with Rogues, and I generally replace Foresters with Rangers.

In OD&D the purpose was to give more options for class choices.
The Forester allowed someone to play a human fighter/wizard instead of an Elf, while the Rake allowed someone to fulfill the role of Thief without the negative stigma associated with that class.
#4
zombiegleemax
Apr 08, 2004 12:29:31
Originally posted by katana_one
while the Rake allowed someone to fulfill the role of Thief without the negative stigma associated with that class.

Well, I agree. the thing is I'm not sure that thieves actually have such a negative stigma - at least usually - so I don't find the Rake to be so tempting.
#5
zombiegleemax
Apr 08, 2004 16:42:19 There is stigma in some places like Alphatia where thieves are much liked. Some of my players who played thieves would disguise themselves as fighters, sailors or mystics. Of course when a fight broke out they would avoid conflict until getting behind the opponent and would reveal their true nature.
#6
zombiegleemax
Apr 09, 2004 14:12:21 There are certain drawbacks to Rakes over Thieves ... but then, sometimes handicaps and limitations are interesting for roleplaying, imho.

Also the Rake does not have to worry about the Thieves Guild or any of that.
#7
havard
Apr 10, 2004 14:16:52 OD&D Variant Classes revised:

(Not that I play OD&D anymore, but I couldn't resist.)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Apr 08, 2004 2:29:20	Does anyone here understand what the Rake class is all about? Why would anyone want to play a thief with less abilities and nothing to compensate for it? I have a very vague memory from "Arena of Thyatis" that the Rake is a kind of a diplomatic Rogue - but I guess I'm wrong, since DotE states that Rakes are Lawful. What is their function exactly? As for the Foresters - well, here I also think that it is not enough to simply make them "Human Elves". They need their own uniqueness. But this is easier to solve: with wilderness skills and nature-oriented magic spells, they can become an interesting sort of Ranger.
#2 zombiegleemax Apr 08, 2004 6:23:03	I always made the Forester characters more like Rangers. Most of my players would rather just be an elf than a forester. So I gave them a limited group of spells, mixed Druid and Mage spells. Then a couple of thief skills that would be handy in nature. They enjoyed the character a ton after that. When I switched to the RoleMaster spell list system, there are tons of Ranger spells so I just used them from there on.
#3 katana_one Apr 08, 2004 12:22:16	In my 3E game, Rakes and Thieves are both simply replaced with Rogues, and I generally replace Foresters with Rangers. In OD&D the purpose was to give more options for class choices. The Forester allowed someone to play a human fighter/wizard instead of an Elf, while the Rake allowed someone to fulfill the role of Thief without the negative stigma associated with that class.
#4 zombiegleemax Apr 08, 2004 12:29:31	Originally posted by katana_one while the Rake allowed someone to fulfill the role of Thief without the negative stigma associated with that class. Well, I agree. the thing is I'm not sure that thieves actually have such a negative stigma - at least usually - so I don't find the Rake to be so tempting.
#5 zombiegleemax Apr 08, 2004 16:42:19	There is stigma in some places like Alphatia where thieves are much liked. Some of my players who played thieves would disguise themselves as fighters, sailors or mystics. Of course when a fight broke out they would avoid conflict until getting behind the opponent and would reveal their true nature.
#6 zombiegleemax Apr 09, 2004 14:12:21	There are certain drawbacks to Rakes over Thieves ... but then, sometimes handicaps and limitations are interesting for roleplaying, imho. Also the Rake does not have to worry about the Thieves Guild or any of that.
#7 havard Apr 10, 2004 14:16:52	OD&D Variant Classes revised: (Not that I play OD&D anymore, but I couldn't resist.)